Services

Tailored to your specific project needs

Why BMC

BMC provides strategic guidance and technical support across the lifecycle of offshore and coastal development projects. We deliver tailored fisheries liaison, commercial fisheries and fish and shellfish ecology services, helping clients make informed decisions that deliver stronger outcomes for projects and the fishing industry. Early understanding of baseline fishing activity is critical to reducing project risk. Although data is plentiful, fishing activity is dynamic, and interpreting it, identifying the right stakeholders, and understanding community priorities requires specialist expertise.

Our work goes beyond mapping and datasets, drawing on detailed knowledge of fishing practices, local insight, operational realities and stakeholder priorities to ensure fisheries interactions are accurately reflected in project design and development. This evidence base underpins effective marine spatial planning and Blue Economy development by characterising commercial fisheries activity, assessing value and access needs, and identifying potential multi‑sector conflict. BMC’s analytical and scientific capability strengthens fisheries management and policy decisions, providing clients with reliable, defensible evidence at every stage.

What We Deliver

Reduced project risk through early, evidence‑based understanding of fisheries activity
Clear, defensible advice aligned with regulatory expectations
Stronger coexistence pathways for offshore and fishing sectors
Improved stakeholder confidence and reduced conflict
Robust evidence to support planning, design and policy decisions

Our consultants combine deep legislative understanding with strong technical and scientific expertise, delivering high‑quality, dependable advice that enables confident, evidence‑based decision‑making across complex marine environments.

Navigate complex projects with clarity

BMC provide targeted expertise across the project lifecycle to help our clients deliver:

Fisheries liaison Clear, trusted communication between developers and stakeholders.
Site selection and feasibility studies Targeted assessments to identify viable sites and minimise fisheries conflict.
Consenting advice and Environmental Impact Assessment Expert support to secure consents and deliver robust environmental evidence.
Post-consent compliance advice Practical guidance to meet conditions and maintain ongoing regulatory compliance.
Fisheries management Sustainable management advice that supports resilient fisheries and informed decision‑making.
Policy and strategy development Actionable policy insight to shape effective, future‑ready marine strategies.
Blue Economy Planning and Coexistence Strategy Integrated planning that aligns marine growth with sustainable fisheries coexistence.

Fisheries Liaison

Why BMC

BMC manages the fisheries–project interface, facilitating productive relationships between developers and fishing communities from the earliest stages of development through construction, operation and decommissioning. As the primary liaison point between project teams and the fishing industry, we build trust through clear communication, fair processes and consistent, transparent engagement that minimises disruption and keeps projects progressing smoothly. Through sustained presence, informed dialogue and practical issue resolution, we help clients navigate complex fisheries interactions and strengthen long‑term coexistence.

Coordination of offshore and onshore FLOs Integrated liaison across sea and shore to ensure consistent, reliable fisheries engagement.
Early stakeholder mapping and engagement Early identification and engagement of vessel owners, associations and communities likely to be affected by development.
Fair, transparent gear‑clearance planning Clear, equitable planning to manage gear interactions responsibly and minimise disruption.
Real‑time disruption and interaction management Live coordination between fishing vessels and project operations, supported by timely notices and clear communication.
Fisheries inputs to EIA, licensing and compliance Stakeholder‑informed fisheries evidence to support assessments, licensing and regulatory compliance.
Representation at ports, meetings and industry forums Direct engagement with fishing representatives to understand operations, concerns and priorities.
Negotiation and issue resolution to support coexistence Practical, balanced facilitation to resolve issues and strengthen fisheries–project coexistence.
Long‑term relationship management Ongoing liaison to maintain positive relationships, address emerging issues and adapt coexistence measures over time.

Our services

Site Selection and Feasibility

Why BMC

BMC support clients from the earliest stages of project conception, providing clear, evidence‑led insight into fisheries considerations that may influence development planning. We identify potential constraints and emerging risks, and offer strategic guidance to ensure fisheries interactions are understood and proactively managed throughout site selection and feasibility.

Commercial Fisheries

GIS analysis of commercial fisheries datasets Spatial interpretation of multiple datasets to highlight high‑value grounds and guide early site selection or boundary refinement.
Early engagement with commercial fisheries stakeholders Capturing local insight from vessel owners, associations and communities to inform site selection and feasibility.
Clear, evidence‑based fisheries input to assessments Robust fisheries evidence for written site‑selection and feasibility assessments.
Seasonal and gear‑type assessment Identifying periods or areas of elevated interaction risk during feasibility screening.
Integration of fisheries evidence with wider development constraints Combining fisheries insight with environmental, engineering and planning considerations to support comparison of site options and minimise conflict.

Our services

Fish and Shellfish Ecology

Spatial analysis of fish and shellfish distribution Identifying ecologically sensitive areas to inform early site selection and boundary refinement.
Early engagement with regulators and scientific experts Capturing ecological insight that strengthens site‑selection and feasibility decisions.
Clear, evidence‑based ecological input to assessments Providing robust ecological evidence for written site‑selection and feasibility assessments, highlighting key receptors and potential interactions.
Seasonal habitat and life‑stage assessment Identifying periods or areas of elevated ecological sensitivity during feasibility screening.
Integration of ecological evidence with wider development constraints Combining ecological insight with environmental, engineering and planning considerations to support comparison of site options and minimise ecological impact.

Consenting and Environmental Impact Assessment

Why BMC

BMC guides clients through the consenting and environmental assessment process, providing the technical foundation for robust fisheries assessments and coexistence planning that strengthen applications and reduce regulatory risk. We interpret policy and evidence, identify potential fisheries interactions, and develop clear, defensible assessments that support compliance with marine licensing and EIA requirements. Our role ensures that fisheries considerations are accurately represented, transparently addressed and fully integrated into the wider environmental narrative as projects move toward consent.

Commercial Fisheries

Design of modern coexistence frameworks Structured, evidence‑based approaches that balance project requirements with fishing activity, reduce conflict and support defensible consenting outcomes.
Commercial fisheries EIA services Clear, regulator‑ready reporting from scoping through to examination and consent determination.
Stakeholder engagement throughout consenting Coordinated engagement with regulators, industry bodies and fishing representatives at each stage of the process.
Draft fisheries‑related Consent Plans Preparation of Fisheries Coexistence & Liaison Plans and Fisheries Mitigation, Monitoring & Communication Plans to support applications.
Identification of proportionate mitigation measures Collaboration with the fishing industry to develop practical, balanced mitigation grounded in current evidence.

Our services

Fish and Shellfish Ecology

Fish and shellfish ecology EIA services Clear, regulator‑ready reporting from scoping through to examination and consent determination.
Ecological stakeholder engagement throughout consenting Coordinated engagement with regulators, statutory nature bodies and scientific experts at each stage of the process.
Draft ecology‑related Consent Plans Preparation of Fish & Shellfish Ecology Mitigation Plans and Monitoring & Reporting Plans to support applications.
Identification of proportionate ecological mitigation measures Collaboration with regulators and scientific specialists to develop practical, evidence‑based mitigation.

Post-consent Compliance Advice

Why BMC

BMC support clients throughout the post‑consent phase, ensuring fisheries‑related commitments are met and regulatory expectations are fully understood. We provide clear, practical guidance on compliance requirements and support the delivery of monitoring obligations, helping projects maintain alignment with licence conditions and demonstrate ongoing responsible management.

Commercial Fisheries

Fisheries‑related consent plans Preparation of fisheries‑related consent plans to support discharge of licence conditions.
Commercial fisheries monitoring programmes Design and delivery of pre‑, during‑ and post‑construction monitoring programmes, ensuring methods and reporting meet regulatory expectations.
Auditable compliance‑tracking processes Development of clear, auditable processes for tracking fisheries‑related commitments and demonstrating ongoing compliance to regulators.
Interpretation of monitoring results Assessment of changes in fishing activity and provision of evidence‑based recommendations for adaptive management.
Fisheries inputs to post‑consent submissions Preparation of fisheries inputs for post‑consent submissions, audits and regulatory reviews, ensuring obligations are met throughout construction and operation.

Our services

Fish and Shellfish Ecology

Ecology‑related consent plans Preparation of ecology‑related consent plans to support discharge of licence conditions, including mitigation, monitoring and reporting requirements for fish and shellfish receptors.
Ecological monitoring programmes Design and delivery of pre‑, during‑ and post‑construction monitoring programmes, ensuring methods, analyses and reporting meet regulatory expectations.
Auditable compliance‑tracking processes Development of clear, auditable processes for tracking ecology‑related commitments and demonstrating ongoing compliance to regulators.
Interpretation of ecological monitoring results Assessment of changes in fish and shellfish communities and provision of evidence‑based recommendations for adaptive management.
Ecological inputs to post‑consent submissions Preparation of ecological inputs for post‑consent submissions, audits and regulatory reviews, ensuring obligations are met throughout construction and operation.

Fisheries Management

Why BMC

BMC provides expert advice to governments, professional bodies, NGOs and industry across all aspects of fisheries management and sustainability, supporting the long‑term health and productivity of marine fisheries. Our aim is to enable modern, evidence‑led management that maintains the viability of fisheries, strengthens their social, economic and environmental value, and protects the wider marine environment.

Sophisticated data‑analysis techniques Applying advanced analytical methods and maintaining continuous oversight of fisheries datasets (landings, effort, VMS/AIS, electronic monitoring and environmental indicators) to generate robust, defensible insights for modern management and policy decisions.
Sustainable fisheries practice Applying ecosystem‑based and climate‑responsive management approaches that support long‑term stock resilience, minimise ecological impact and align with emerging sustainability standards and nature‑positive policy.
Fisheries policy development Providing clear, evidence‑led policy advice that supports national and international objectives, including transitions to climate‑smart management, improved data‑poor stock decision‑making and alignment with evolving regulatory frameworks.
Compliance and enforcement support Strengthening compliance pathways through transparent monitoring, risk‑based enforcement strategies and targeted support for tackling IUU fishing, ensuring operations meet regulatory, certification and sustainability requirements.
Monitoring and evaluation programmes Designing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks that track stock status, fishing pressure and ecological change, incorporating modern tools such as electronic monitoring, VMS/AIS analysis and adaptive management triggers.
Consultation and facilitation across stakeholder networks Leading balanced, informed engagement with fisheries representatives, fishing communities, regulators and conservation bodies to support transparent, evidence‑based decision‑making.

Our services

Policy and Strategy

Why BMC

BMC provide strategic, policy‑led support to organisations operating across the UK’s evolving marine regulatory landscape. We work with regulators, statutory bodies and NGOs to interpret emerging policy, understand cross‑sector interactions, and deliver clear, evidence‑based advice on issues spanning offshore energy, commercial fisheries and their intersection. Our expertise across the UK fisheries governance framework enables clients to navigate the practical realities of modern fisheries management alongside wider marine policy demands. This combined perspective helps decision‑makers move confidently through complex regulatory environments and shape approaches that are workable, balanced and aligned with current industry practice and statutory expectations.

Sector‑wide development insight Contribution to sector‑wide development strategies through clear, evidence‑based fisheries and offshore‑energy analysis.
Interpretation of marine legislative frameworks Advice on the interpretation and application of marine legislative and regulatory frameworks.
Guidance and policy drafting support Support in drafting guidance and policy materials that reflect current regulatory practice and sector needs.
Analysis of emerging policy trends Assessment of emerging policy trends to help organisations anticipate regulatory change and plan strategically.
Review of proposed policy updates Fisheries‑focused interpretation of proposed regulatory or policy updates to inform consultation responses.
Cross‑sector facilitation Facilitation of discussions across offshore energy and commercial fisheries to support coherent, balanced policy development.
Interpretation of fisheries governance frameworks Interpretation of UK, international and transboundary fisheries governance frameworks to help organisations understand obligations, management approaches and the practical implications for decision‑making.

Our services

Blue Economy Planning and Coexistence Strategy

Why BMC

BMC help clients navigate and shape the evolving Blue Economy by providing fisheries‑focused strategic insight that strengthens planning, policy development and long‑term coexistence. We support governments, NGOs, financial institutions and industry in designing and implementing approaches that balance marine economic activity with the needs of commercial fisheries and the wider environment. Drawing on deep marine‑policy expertise, extensive experience in integrated marine planning and established sector relationships, we interpret evidence, assess cross‑sector interactions and facilitate transparent engagement with key decision‑makers. Our work ensures that fisheries considerations are understood early, addressed openly and embedded within strategic planning, enabling resilient, responsible and future‑ready marine development.

Our services

Interpretation of commercial fisheries evidence Informing early spatial planning and strategic site selection through clear analysis of fisheries activity and distribution.
Assessment of fisheries activity, value and access needs Identifying areas of potential conflict within emerging Blue Economy plans.
Development of coexistence strategies Balancing offshore development objectives with long‑term fisheries sustainability.
Integration of fisheries considerations into marine spatial planning Embedding fisheries evidence within multi‑sector planning processes.
Analysis of sector interactions Highlighting cumulative pressures and opportunities for coordinated management across marine industries.
Design of strategic frameworks for equitable access Supporting approaches that minimise displacement and promote fair access for fishing activity.
Fisheries‑focused insight for cross‑sector forums Providing evidence‑based input to planning discussions, advisory groups and strategic working forums.
Evaluation of future Blue Economy scenarios Assessing implications for commercial fisheries and identifying resilience pathways.

It starts with a conversation

Have a question about fisheries or a project in mind? Discuss your requirements with us.

The right expertise at the right time saves money, reduces risk, and maintains project momentum. Whether you need strategic advice or detailed technical support, we’re here to help.